A system for inserting a series of subdermal electrodes into the skin of a patient for neurological monitoring includes a magazine with an interior, a first end and an opposing second end. The first end has an opening. A row of applicators are carried in the interior of the magazine, parallel the its major axis. The first applicator presents itself at the opening in the first end and is followed in turn by a subsequent applicator. Each applicator carries an electrode that is ejected from that applicator when an applicator is pressed against the skin of a patient. The magazine has an actuator that advances each applicator in sequence toward the opening of the magazine to expel them one at a time after each ejects its electrode.
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1. A system for inserting a series of subdermal electrodes into the skin of a patient for neurological monitoring, said system comprising:
(a) a magazine with an interior, a major axis and a first end and an opposing second end, said first end having an opening;
(b) plural applicators carried in the interior of said magazine in a row and in parallel with said major axis, said plural applicators including a previous applicator followed by a subsequent applicator, said previous applicator having a first end and an opposing second end, said subsequent applicator having a first end and an opposing second end, said first end of said previous applicator presenting at said opening of said magazine;
(c) plural electrodes, each electrode of said plural electrodes being releasably carried by one applicator of said plural applicators so that said each electrode is ejected from said one applicator when said one applicator is pressed against the skin of a patient; and
(d) an actuator carried by said magazine, said actuator advancing said plural applicators in sequence and axially toward said opening of said magazine to expel said previous applicator through said opening and to present said subsequent applicator,
wherein each applicator of said plural applicators has a dog and said actuator has a dog-engaging bar movable axially, said dog-engaging bar moving only axially toward said first end of said magazine and moving radially outward and axially as said dog-engaging bar is moved toward said second end of said magazine and said dog-engaging bar is cammed by said dog of said each applicator.
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The priority benefit of U.S. provisional patent application, Ser. No. 61/868,350, filed Aug. 21, 2013, is claimed.
The present invention is a system for inserting a series of subdermal electrodes into the skin of a patient for neurological monitoring. This system comprises a magazine with an interior, a major axis and a first end and an opposing second end. The first end has an opening. Plural applicators are carried in the interior of the magazine in a row and in parallel with the major axis of the magazine. The plural applicators include a previous applicator followed by a subsequent applicator. The previous applicator has a first end and an opposing second end. The subsequent applicator has a first end and a second end, and the first end of the previous applicator presents itself at the opening of the magazine.
The system includes plural electrodes, each of which is releasably carried by one applicator so that the electrode is ejected from that applicator when an applicator is pressed against the skin of a patient. Finally, the system includes an actuator carried by the magazine. The actuator advances the plural applicators in sequence and axially toward the opening of the magazine to expel the previous applicator through the opening and to present the subsequent applicator at the opening.
The system may also include a stopper carried in the magazine at its second end and aligned with the row of plural applicators. The stopper is moveable toward the first end of the magazine but not rearward. The stopper moves in increments so that an applicator is ejected and a subsequent applicator is presented at the opening in each incremental movement.
The stopper has two radially-opposing, radially-biased feet and the magazine has plural catches dimensioned to receive and hold the feet against movement rearward toward the second end of the magazine as the stopper is moved axially forward toward the first end of said magazine. Also, each applicator has a dog and the actuator has a dog-engaging bar that may be moved axially only toward the first end of the magazine and moving both radially outward and axially as the dog-engaging bar is moved toward the second end of the magazine. As it is moved, the dog-engaging bar is cammed by the dog of said applicator.
The actuator also includes a slide carried exterior to the magazine and in operative connection with the dog-engaging bar interior to the magazine to move the applicators.
The magazine has an axial channel, through which the lead wire from each electrode hangs. Finally, each applicator also includes a retention module with a hole in it for holding the electrode, and a plunger that moves with respect to the retention module. This plunger has a pin aligned with the hole in the retention module for ejecting the electrode when the retention module as the pin move toward each other. The plunger has a spring that interacts with the retention module by resisting relative movement of the plunger and the retention module. Accordingly, the plunger loads that spring as the retention module presses against the skin of a patient.
Referring now to the figures, the present invention is a system for inserting a series of subdermal electrodes 10 into the skin of a patient for neurological monitoring. The system includes a magazine 12 with a major axis and a first end 14 and an opposing second end 16. There is an opening 18 in the magazine 12's first end. In the interior of the magazine 12, best seen in
Each applicator 20 releasably carries one electrode 10, as best seen in
The magazine 12 also carries a stopper 38, located toward the second end 16 and aligned with the row of applicators 20. See
As shown in
As best seen in
A magazine 12 hold plural applicators 20, such as the six shown, and the electrode 10 carried by each one of them is applied in sequence, each applicator 20 being expelled after its electrode 10 is ejected, and the next applicator 20 moved into position at first end 14 of the magazine 12 in rapid sequence.
Smith, Daniel, Regan, Shawn V.
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Aug 20 2014 | SMITH, DANIEL, MR | Rhythmlink International, LLC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 033583 | /0324 | |
Aug 21 2014 | Rhythmlink International LLC | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
Aug 21 2014 | REGAN, SHAWN V , MR | Rhythmlink International, LLC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 033583 | /0324 | |
Feb 19 2019 | Rhythmlink International, LLC | MADISON CAPITAL FUNDING LLC, AS AGENT | SECURITY INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 048380 | /0881 | |
Apr 01 2022 | MADISON CAPITAL FUNDING LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT | APOGEM CAPITAL LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT | SECURITY INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 059563 | /0359 | |
Mar 15 2023 | APOGEM CAPITAL FUNDING LLC, AS SUCCESSOR AGENT | Rhythmlink International, LLC | RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 062995 | /0706 | |
Mar 15 2023 | Rhythmlink International, LLC | APOGEM CAPITAL LLC, AGENT | SECURITY INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 062985 | /0933 |
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